The centuries-long popularity of Chinese ceramics in the Islamic world continued into the Safavid era in Iran, as attested by pieces like this which were inspired by the shapes and conventions of painting particular to China. Of course, the most popular types were copies of blue-and-white ware. The staid depiction of a flowering landscape in a black and gray wash on a white background is interrupted by the humorous figure of a dandelion-headed lion. The foot rim, mouth rim, and cover of this jar were made of brass or silvered copper.